Pharmacists offer first OTC oral chlamydia treatment

The Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has approved the azithromycin pill, known as Clamelle, for over-16s who have tested positive for the infection.

It will be available for their sexual partners, too.

The MHRA says it is keen to support the availability of more over-the-counter drugs for preventative care and chronic disease management.

Dr June Raine, director of vigilance and risk management of medicines at the MHRA said: ‘Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the UK. Up to 70 per cent of people who have chlamydia have no symptoms and could therefore remain undiagnosed.

‘Today's move means that symptom-free people diagnosed with chlamydia and their partner will be able to get convenient effective treatment from their local pharmacy.'

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